2020 BC Classic: Past Performances, Statistical Analysis, Pedigree for Today’s Breeders’ Cup Classic Race

2020 BC Classic Odds, Past Performances, Betting, and Pedigree

The Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is worth $6 million this year, is contested at the classic distance of 1 1⁄4 miles on dirt. It used to be the richest race in the world until the Dubai World Cup in 1995, then the inaugurual Pegasus World Cup, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and now the $20 million Saudi Cup.

American Horse of the Year winners who have also captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic are: Alysheba, 1988; A.P. Indy, 1992; Cigar, 1995; Tiznow, 2000; Ghostzapper, 2004; Saint Liam, 2005; Invasor, 2006; Curlin, 2007; American Pharoah, 2015; and Gun Runner, 2017.

Breeders’ Cup Classic Betting

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert leads all trainers with three winners – Bayern, 2014; American Pharoah, 2015; and Arrogate, 2016. Jerry Bailey and Chris McCarron each rode five winners to lead all jockeys. Tiznow in 2001 and 2002 is the only horse to have won the Classic twice and will remain the only one as last year’s winner, Vino Rosso, was retired and stood his first year at stud this year.

The fastest Breeders’ Cup Classic time belongs to Ghostzapper, who set the mark of 1:59:02 under Javier Castellano in 2004 at Lone Star Park. It is also remains the track record for the distance. In 2015 American Pharoah’s final time of 2:00.07 set a track record at Keeneland.

The Classic is responsible for more than just Horse of the Year Honors. The biggest upset in Breeders’ Cup history came when European import Arcangues stunned the Santa Anita Crowd at odds of 133-1 under jockey Jerry Bailey and returned $269.20 for a $2 wager.

American Pharoah is the only Triple Crown winner to have also won the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Cigar (1995), Pleasantly Perfect (2003) and Invasor (2006) are the only three Breeders’ Cup Classic/Dubai World Cup winners.

Pedigree in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Race

While pedigree is certainly an important part of thoroughbred racing and absolutely in the Breeders’ Cup each year, some Breeders’ Cup winners have excelled in producing Breeders’ Cup winners themselves. Additionally, a handful of elite Breeders Cup-winning broodmares have also produced world championships winners.

In 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah won the Classic and last year his son from his very first crop as a stallion, Four Wheel Drive, captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Also last year, Sharing won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The Graham Motion trainee is a daughter of two Beeders’ Cup Champions as she’s by 2004 Sprint winner Speightstown and out of 2010 Filly & Mare Turf winner Shared Account. Though still racing, she won’t make the starting gate for this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

Also, 1993 Distaff heroine Hollywood Wildcat produced 2000 Mile winner War Chant, who himself produced 2010 Turf Sprint winner Chamberlain Bridge.

The list of Breeders’ Cup winners to produce Breeders’ Cup winners:

Past Performances and Statistics for the Breeders’ Cup Classic Race

Sires:

Dams

Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds

Miriam Lee

Miriam Lee has always been a horse racing fan thanks to trips to the tracks in her home state of Maryland with her father as kid. She owns an OTTB and is an advocate for promoting the sport among her peers. Miriam studies communication arts at Hood College and will receive her master’s degree in 2021, which she plans to use for a career in screenwriting. Her all-time favorite racehorse is Man O War.